Eyes on a black poet in a yellow coat at Biden’s inauguration

American pop stars Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez performed a splendid stage at the inauguration ceremony of the new US President Joe Biden on the 20th (local time), but there is a person who really received the spotlight. Amanda Gorman (22), a black woman invited as the youngest poet at the inauguration ceremony of the US president. The US media are interested in not only the content of his congratulatory poem, but also fashion, and are highly acclaimed.

On the same day, NBC News reported that “Amanda Gorman stole the show on the day of his inauguration ceremony,” and “captivated the United States with his poem, The Hill We Climb.” US CNN broadcast, “Jewelry worn by the young poet Gorman has a strong meaning,” and also highlighted Gorman’s fashion.

The five-minute congratulatory poem “The Hill We Climb”, which Gorman unveiled at his inauguration ceremony, emphasized the unity of the United States. “When the day is bright, we ask ourselves,” he read, “where can we find the light in the shade that never ends.”

He also mentioned the invasion of the Parliament House by supporters of President Donald Trump on the 6th. “We have seen a force that can destroy our country if we can delay democracy,” he wrote. “And this effort was almost successful,” he said. “But democracy can be delayed, but it can never be defeated permanently.”

Gorman also described herself as “a skinny black girl who dreams of becoming a president, raised by a single mother as a descendant of a slave.”

Then, people from all walks of life received favorable reviews. Former First Lady Michelle Obama praised Gorman’s poem on her Twitter as “in strong, devastating expressions that remind us that we have the power to defend democracy.” He also added to Gorman, “I want to see what you do next.”

“Gorman’s message inspires us all,” said Stacy Abrams, a black American politician and human rights activist. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also posted a photo taken with Gorman on his Twitter at the inauguration ceremony and tweeted wittyly that “Gorman’s poems are just cool?” .

The accessories presented by Oprah Winfrey also attract attention.

Gorman’s fashion also became an object of interest. CNN said, “When he read his poem’The Hill We Climb’, he impressed attendees and TV viewers,” he said. “Especially the jewelry he wore evoked a small but personal sensibility on the TV screen.”

The outfit Gorman chose for his inauguration was Prada’s yellow double coat and Prada’s red satin headband. In an interview with fashion magazine Vogue, he said, “The coat I chose will nod my head to First Lady Jill Biden, who asked me to speak at the inauguration ceremony.”

It is said that the ring earrings and cage-shaped ring he wore were presented by Oprah Winfrey, who is called the’Queen of Talk Show’. Winfrey, claiming to be a fan of Gorman, presented a cage-shaped ring from the New York-based brand’Obreir Origins’ (a tribute to the late Maya Angelo, an African-American poet) and a ring earrings made by a Greek designer.

Winfrey also presented a Chanel coat and gloves to Angelo, the poet who celebrated the inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1993. He sent a message of support to the black female poets who were present at the inauguration ceremony of the president.

Winfrey also mentioned on her Twitter, “I have never been so proud to see another young woman injured,” and “Maya Angelo and I are cheering.”

Born in Los Angeles (LA), Gorman had a speech impairment, stuttering like President Biden as a child. However, overcoming this, he has been active in winning the National Youth Poet Award.

Also, when he was asked to recite a congratulatory poem at the inauguration ceremony last month, he said, “I screamed while leaning my head back,” and “I felt excitement, joy, honor, humility and at the same time I tasted fear.

Eunyoung Kang reporter [email protected]

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